2000 Carver 356 horn issues

[cpoint]

Tackling next item on list After couple months of ownership got around to testing the horn, no sound. Assumed if I don't hear it others wont either. So not sure bad horn or electrical issue. How can I test the power or horn. I hope I do not have to take apart the horn switch, as there is no easy access to below it. Is there a way to test from horn side, maybe check to see if power is going to it at leads on the horn?

[Washopay]

If it's an air horn there will be a small pump likely hidden under the cowling at the front of your fly bridge. Engage the horn and see if anyone can hear the pump working. If so:
1: Check that the small air lines are connected and not full of spider poo. If so, disconnect and clear them out. Very easy.
2: If still no horn, tune it. There are screws on the back of the horns bell. Remove and gently remove the reed (thin copper disc). Clean and spray with WD40. Don't not bend! Re-install and start slowly tightening the screws while someone simultaneously tries to honk it. You will hear it starting to make a noise until suddenly it starts to sing. Then do the other.
3: If this doesn't work, i have no clue. A friend at my marina told me this, I tried it and it worked.

VERY satisfying when you hear the BWAAAAHHH!!! I can barely keep myself from playing with it.

Good luck.

[After Taxes]

You didn't say and likely checked, but many Carvers have a single horn breaker on the DC12 volt panel. More than once, I started a trip without throwing that small breaker to the on position. Worth confirming before you start ripping out dash buttons or external horns.

[waybomb]

And if you give up, and want to go for broke: Kahlenburg D2s.
So sweet. Had them on our 4207.

Click on the "hear it" button.

http://www.kahlenberg.com/products/marine-signaling/yacht-horns/model-d-2-chimetone-air-horn

[tomschauer]

my 1998 355 has an electric (not air) horn. It is to the starboard side under the bridge cowling. It has a separate breaker.
You can remove the 6 or 8 screws from the switch panel and tilt it front to check the switch, or you can voltage check at the horn if you have the same cheesy horn as me.
If it sat awhile as mine did, you may need to just clean the wasp nests out of it and spray some wd into the horns.

[cpoint]

Thanks all for the replies, will check it out this weekend and report back here.

[cpoint]

Update on this issue, rather than deal with the old one I bought a new one (replacing air horn with electric one). The old one chrome was beginning to not look good. So new one looks good. Cut the other one out, only to find out new horn is not working, so will be going back with volt tester this weekend to see if that's the problem. If it is, any ideas if there is a separate breaker for the horn? Also horn is on all the time? or do keys need to be turned on first?

[RGrew176]

On my 3007 the horn is on all the time. The engine does not have to be running on my boat for the horn to work.

[mjk1040]

The front seat back rest comes off and there are panels that give you access to the helm wiring and breakers I do believe. Mike

[cpoint]

Thanks, yes there are 3 big openings behind the seat, makes convenient getting to things in panel. The horn issue was a funny one, turns out one of the leads not plugged in. unfortunately I had purchased an electric one, so now I am going to put the old air horn in to see if it works. Cant return the the new horn I bought now, I guess I will put it back on eBay. If anyone interested let me know, got it off the amazon.